The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday stated that representatives of India would focus on the continuing diplomatic row with the US during the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Friday, if the opposite aspect was prepared to take action.
At an everyday press briefing, Bagchi stated, “The 2+2 is tomorrow. The US Secretary of Defence has just landed and we are expecting the Secretary (of State) later in the evening… Considering the nature of our relationship and the global strategic partnership, a variety of issues can be discussed including topical issues, regional developments… On Canada, if they wish to discuss we are happy to discuss all issues…”
This comes as US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day journey forward of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attain India tomorrow to co-chair the dialogue alongside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit held yearly since 2018, with the Minister of External Affairs and the Defence Minister representing India and the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence representing the United States.
India’s diplomatic spat with Canada
India and Canada engaged in a diplomatic standoff after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that hat he has “credible information” about India’s hyperlink with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Ministry of External Affairs had rejected the claims and stated Ottawa didn’t proffer any “proof” that might confirm the Canadian PM’s declare.
After the expulsion of diplomats from each international locations, India briefly cancelled visa companies for Canadian nationals and requested the Canadian embassy to minimise the diplomatic presence because it considers Ottawa had many employees whose roles had been questionable.
Canada has evacuated its 41 diplomats and 42 different members of the employees from India after New Delhi stated that it could revoke their diplomatic immunity. Canadian Prime Minister Melanie Joly known as the act a violation of worldwide regulation, which was subsequently rejected by India.
India later resumed visa companies in Canada for 4 classes – Entry visa, Business visa, Medical visa and Conference visa. Trudeau had clarified that he was not making an attempt to impress New Delhi however slightly wished his Indian counterpart to deal with the issue correctly. “The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that, we are not looking to provoke or escalate,” information company Reuters quoted the Canadian PM as saying.
Notably, the US has repeatedly requested India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation behind Nijjar’s killing. Last month, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “I will let the Indian government speak for themselves and I will speak for the United States government, and we urge that cooperation.”
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